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Flowering vines for a northern exposure

January 4,1999
I live in New Haven, Connecticut. I have recently bought a house situated
on Long Island Sound. The previous owners have presented me with a site
that has great potential for gardening, in what I would call a Neapolitan
style. In particular I am trying to solve the problem of growing a vine
up a 7 or 8 foot retaining wall. The wall will get some sun, but not all
that much, as we look north across the Sound. I would love to find a vine
that has a LONG blooming season. It would be wonderful if the vine were
evergreen as well, but that is secondary. Mostly I want color and a long
blooming season, and not too much maintenance, as I am handicapped and
will need to hire a gardener. My wife and I have a small dog, who is extremely
mischievous, and loves to eat EVERYTHING, so I assume toxicity too is an
issue. If you can be of any help, I would be most appreciative. Thanks
for your wonderful web site.

Your needs are quite specific, which narrows the choices considerably. Most
flowering vines need full sun to thrive, but there are a few of them that
will tolerate partial shade, and still fulfill your needs.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera) need support
when they are first starting out, but are generally profuse bloomers. Hardiness
and flowering vary greatly with the variety you choose. Great for hummingbirds.

Trumpet vine (Distictis buccinatoria) flowers best in full sun
but will bloom in partial shade. It is hardy to 24 degrees F.and needs
yearly pruning to keep it under control. It blooms sporadically with warming
weather.

Virgin's Bower (Clematis paniculata) is very hardy climber from
the Orient that will reach 30 feet. White, fragrant flowers in August and
September.

Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia littoralis) has a very unique 'calico'
flower and is evergreen and hardy to 25 degrees F and root hardy to below
20 degrees F.